CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The demands began as soon as he entered BellSouth Park from the right-field clubhouse: “Adam! Adam! Adam, over here!”

Adam Dunn hugs T.J. Randall, 11, while being swamped by autograph seekers before Friday's game. (Juliette Coughlin/ Chattanooga Times and Free Press) | ZOOM |

        One year after starting the season as a Chattanooga Lookouts outfielder, Adam Dunn returned Friday as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. The 2001 Minor League Player of the Year has been besieged by interview requests during the offseason and was besieged by autograph requests before an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins.

        “I don't think anybody here knew who I was this time last year,” Dunn said. “It just went by so fast. It's good to be back here playing an exhibition and not a full season.”

        Dunn hit .343 with 12 home runs in 39 games with the Double-A Lookouts last season before his call-up to Triple-A Louisville.

        The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder drew cheers with every swing at batting practice but went 0-for-2 before a sold-out crowd of 6,340 in the game.

        The Reds lost to the Twins 10-5.

        Jose Acevedo, who also started last season in Chattanooga before going straight to Cincinnati, was bombarded in his four innings of work. Acevedo gave up nine runs on 13 hits.

        “That was not a major-league pitching effort,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “You've got to pitch the best at this level. We're only going to be as good as our starting staff.”

        Nearly half of Friday's crowd was there two hours before former U.S. hockey team captain Mike Eruzione threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. drew the most attention at batting practice, with Griffey sending the most balls over the wall toward the Tennessee River.

        “Kind of like the Kingdome, huh?” Reds hitting coach Jim Lefebvre said to Griffey at one point as he launched his third straight out of the third-year park.

        “Nah, it carries better here,” Griffey said.

        Lost in the pregame shuffle was Cincinnati first baseman Sean Casey, who had the best numbers of any Reds player last season when he hit .310 with 13 homers and 89 RBI. Casey was among the unknowns Friday in the batting cage as fans turned their attention to Dunn, Griffey and Barry Larkin.

        “I don't even get a golf clap,” Casey said, breaking into a grin. “If Griffey fouls one off, these fans go nuts.”

        Brady Clark, Scott Sullivan and Aaron Boone were among the Reds players who said it was nice being back in Chattanooga. Other Reds, like Larkin, were making just their second trip to the city.

        Two years ago, Larkin and the Reds lost 8-3 to the Baltimore Orioles in BellSouth's dedication game. The Reds will play Baltimore in Louisville today before opening the regular season Monday at Cinergy Field against the Chicago Cubs.

        “It's a different feel playing these games in smaller towns,” Larkin said. “The fans seem to appreciate it more.”

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